County to fund two vans for Street Outreach Network to improve access for high-risk youth

Council staff and DHHS explained that $100,000 in the FY27 supplemental appropriation would be used by the Street Outreach Network to purchase two passenger vans to address transportation barriers that prevent the county’s highest-risk youth from participating in afternoon enrichment activities. Staff told the committee that peak hours for youth vaping and substance experimentation are 3–6 p.m., and the vans would help providers reach youth during those times.

Members asked DHHS to confirm the targeted neighborhoods for the van deployment; staff said the FY25 work focused in East County and recommended confirming specific neighborhoods for FY27 procurement and deployment. The committee asked DHHS to include the vehicles and their use in forthcoming implementation reporting.